Our Fitness Blog

How to Get the Most Out of Your Workouts

We have all experienced days where there is very little time to get into the gym. Our days become so busy, and we come up with excuses not to workout. We all have 20-30 minutes a day to commit to working out, but we decide to avoid it because we feel that there just isn’t enough time to fit in an effective workout routine. The truth is, you can finish a great workout in 15 minutes, if that’s all the time you have. It all depends on the type of exercise and the amount of effort you put into it. Whether you are at home or in the gym, try these tips to get the most out of your workouts next time!

Make sure your body is fueled properly.
A lot of people believe that working out on an empty stomach will burn more fat, which will lead to faster results. Although this could be true, it doesn’t mean it is healthy for your body. When you fuel your body properly before performing any exercise, you will have more energy to put into your workout routine.

Drink plenty of water.
Now that the hot weather has passed, it doesn’t mean you should lower your water intake. Stayed hydrated is still just as important! It takes a couple of hours for your body to absorb the water so try to avoid chugging a bottle right before a workout. Make it a habit to drink water throughout the entire day. I use a 24 oz. Starbucks tumbler every day to help me keep track of how much water I am consuming. I am up to a gallon a day!

Use proper form.
I used to think the heavier the weight, the better. It didn’t matter how good your form was, as long as you went heavy and felt sore the next day. But, it didn’t take me long to learn that proper form is EVERYTHING when it comes to any exercise. You need to perform exercises correctly to get the intended benefit and stay healthy. It wasn’t until I started working out at 9Round almost four years ago that I was taught the importance of proper front kicks, punching, push-ups, etc. The knowledgeable trainers showed me how to perform each exercise correctly. Next time you are in the gym, try not to worry about the weight of your dumbbell or how many round kicks you can do. Focus on mastering the proper form first!

Change up your workout routine.
If you stick with the same workout routine each time you visit the gym, your body will adjust to the stress level, and you won’t be getting an effective workout. Mixing up your exercises will surprise your muscles and help prevent you from overworking the same muscles each time. Most importantly, it can help you break through a weight-loss plateau! With my 9Round workouts, I don’t have to worry about coming up with new exercises. My exercises are different every day, and it is always a full body workout. All I have to do is show up and put 100% effort into it. (www.9Round.com)

Start using these four simple tips to get the most out of your workouts and get you closer to reaching your fitness goals!